16 beach, lagoon and harbor spots in La Jolla have parking, from the California Coastal Commission's own access list. A fee, fee lot or meters are listed at 1: Scripps Beach. The Commission lists no fee at the others, but street meters and time limits can still apply: read the posted signs.
Today, Tuesday Oct 13
- Nothing unusual today. Street parking near the stairs is first come, first served; read the posted signs for hours.
Where to park, nearest Fletcher Cove first
| Spot (map) | From Fletcher Cove | Parking | Restrooms | What's there |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scripps Institution of Oceanography 8602 La Jolla Shores Dr., La Jolla | 8.7 mi | no fee listed | no | Research and educational institution |
| Scripps Beach W. of La Jolla Shores Dr. at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla | 8.7 mi | fee or meters | no | Parking on weekends/holidays in Lots P002, P003 on El Paseo Grande 1 block W. of La Jolla Shores Dr. |
| Birch Aquarium at Scripps 2300 Expedition Way, off N. Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla | 8.8 mi | no fee listed | yes | Aquarium, coral displays, outdoor tidepool, kelp forest tank |
| La Jolla Shores Beach Park Camino Del Oro at Calle Frescota, La Jolla | 9.3 mi | no fee listed | yes | Swimming, surfing, diving |
| Ellen Browning Scripps Park Coast Blvd. at Girard Ave., La Jolla | 9.8 mi | no fee listed | yes | Landscaped blufftop park, limited on-street parking |
| Coast Walk Seaward of Prospect Pl. and Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla | 9.8 mi | no fee listed | no | Path with benches and panoramic views, limited on-street parking |
| Children's Pool Beach Coast Blvd. at Jenner St., La Jolla | 9.9 mi | no fee listed | yes | Harbor seal haul-out and viewing area, limited on-street parking |
| Coast Boulevard Park W. of Coast Blvd. at Cuvier St., La Jolla | 10.2 mi | no fee listed | no | Landscaped blufftop park, on-street parking |
| Windansea Beach W. of Neptune Pl., from Vista de la Playa to Palomar Ave., La Jolla | 11.1 mi | no fee listed | yes | Sandstone formations, pocket beaches |
| Hermosa Terrace Park W. of Camino de la Costa, S. of Palomar Ave., La Jolla | 11.5 mi | no fee listed | no | Path between houses to shoreline |
| Overlooks and Stairway (La Jolla) W. of Camino de la Costa, La Jolla | 11.9 mi | no fee listed | no | Overlooks 100 yds. N. and S. of Avenida Cortez plus stairs on Camino de la Costa 200 yards W. of La Cañada St. |
| La Jolla Hermosa Park W. of Camino de la Costa, at the intersection with Chelsea Ave., La Jolla | 12.0 mi | no fee listed | no | Views, on-street parking |
| Bird Rock Viewpoint End of Bird Rock Ave., La Jolla | 12.2 mi | no fee listed | no | Views, stairs to rocks below, on-street parking |
| Calumet Park W. of Calumet Ave., between Midway St. and Colima Ct., La Jolla | 12.5 mi | no fee listed | no | Landscaped park on bluff, on-street parking |
| Viewpoint (False Point) W. of Calumet Ave., opposite end of Bandera St., La Jolla | 12.6 mi | no fee listed | no | Views, no beach access |
| Stairway to Beach (Linda Way) Seaward of Sea Ridge Dr., opposite Linda Way, La Jolla | 12.6 mi | no fee listed | no | Cobble beach, on-street parking |
California Coastal Commission access points. "Fee or meters" means the Commission flags a fee or describes fee lots or meters; "no fee listed" means it doesn't, not that every space nearby is free. Read posted signs for hours, meters and time limits.
Skip the fee, or skip the car
- Skip the car: the Coaster plus a bus gets you to the Cove: La Jolla Cove without parking.
- On the street: check the sweeping signs and curb your wheels on hills (a common $86.50 ticket here): La Jolla street sweeping and the tickets.
- Bike it along the coast: bike rides from Fletcher Cove.
- Dogs? Dog-friendly beaches, nearest first. Tides and surf: beach day today.
More: Del Mar parking · Solana Beach parking · Encinitas and Cardiff beach parking · Carlsbad beach parking · Oceanside beach parking · every beach access near Solana Beach. Checked October 13, 2026.
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Questions people ask
Do you have to pay to park at La Jolla beaches?
At some: the California Coastal Commission lists a fee, fee lots or meters at Scripps Beach. It lists no fee at its other La Jolla access points; street meters and time limits can still apply.
Where do you park for La Jolla Shores Beach Park?
Camino Del Oro at Calle Frescota, La Jolla. The Coastal Commission lists no fee there, with restrooms on site. Swimming, surfing, diving.
Where do you park for Children's Pool Beach?
Coast Blvd. at Jenner St., La Jolla. The Coastal Commission lists no fee there, with restrooms on site. Harbor seal haul-out and viewing area, limited on-street parking.
Where do you park for Windansea Beach?
W. of Neptune Pl., from Vista de la Playa to Palomar Ave., La Jolla. The Coastal Commission lists no fee there, with restrooms on site. Sandstone formations, pocket beaches.
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